America as we know it has disappeared forever. In the wake of COVID-19 and the necessary push to stay home and physically distance, there is an ongoing, and understandable, desire to return to normal. However, what we’ve seen in recent weeks has given many doubt that there will ever be a return to “normal” and that Americans will have to adjust to a new societal shift. Economic turmoil, the highest levels of unemployment since the Great Depression, and weeks of ongoing protests having to do with police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement are sounding an alarm. We are undergoing a cultural change, with many of the implications yet to be discovered. Social change in the form of racial equity and reform are some of the main concerns of activists who are leading today’s movements for racial justice in this country. The push for reform has been an ongoing battle, but recently has been highlighted in the media due to the mass protests across the country and world in the wake of murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and countless other blacks who have died at the hands of racialized injustice.
With ongoing momentum in the fight for equality, organizations such as the YWCA of Central Virginia are worthy of recognition in their efforts to help the local community and beyond. As their mission statement declares, “YWCA of Central Virginia is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women; and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” The YWCA of Central Virginia showcases its efforts to help black people, women and their children, and domestic and sexual violence survivors through providing resources such as court advocacy and support groups, financial opportunities, 24/7 hotline services, emergency shelter, education and more across their seven-county service area in Central Virginia.
Ashley Reynolds Marshall, who has a commendable background in diversity and inclusion, serves as the CEO of the YWCA of Central Virginia.
As the lead manager of operations for the YWCA, Reynolds Marshall describes herself as having the honor of “holding the umbrella over her expert team” to provide aid to those in need. She’s a graduate of both Williamsburg’s William and Mary Law School and Virginia Tech’s Center for Public Administration and Policy Program. Her legal and educational background allow her to examine contracts and their legality through a well-developed lens, none of which is foreign to her. Reynolds Marshall’s Masters in Public Administration from Virginia Tech with a specialty in Nonprofit Management and Local Government Management helps shape her managerial skills, allowing her to fight for women’s empowerment and fight racism. Much of her inspiration comes from the powerful women who paved the way — women such as Dr. Dorothy Height, a civil rights leader who, in the late 1940s, pushed for the integration of YWCAs nationwide. “Even in the 1940s, the women who paved the way for the modern YWCA knew that in order to uplift women, we have to look at the barriers. For BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and People of Color] women, racism that was prevalent during that time was a barrier and can still be a barrier today.” Further, she says, “I get amazing shoulders to stand on when thinking of the intersectionality of this work and how our association here in Central Virginia can make sure to engage in that work, not only externally through work with clients and the community, but also internally.” The YWCA of Central Virginia also aims to uplift their employees.
The organization’s board of directors also engages in diversity training to ensure racial equity is a main component of leadership development. Reynolds Marshall says they have engaged in education through Lynchburg native Leslie King, who provides excellent equity and diversity and inclusion training, to make sure they are all as knowledgeable as possible, considering they come from multiple fields from neurosurgery to educators to stay at home moms. We have a wide variety of members and I am very proud to be working for a board that knows the importance of their role.” The leadership of the YWCA both at the local and national levels are quite vocal about racial injustice in the United States, including matters of police brutality. Recently, the CEO of YWCA USA, Alejandra Y. Castillo, expressed her support to the Black Lives Matter movement. Since eliminating racism is a main initiative of the organization, Reynolds Marshall says she was encouraged by Castillo’s statement. The elimination of racism is an attainable goal and there are different means to achieving this goal, said Reynolds Marshal, but she acknowledges that she doesn’t “think we can do it tomorrow but thinks that it’s possible, and also knows that it will be hard.” She adds, “…but what I have seen are amazing individuals here in Central Virginia and across the nation working to chip away at it. People are working to make sure that in their lives they are being fantastic allies and advocates, that they are working to ensure that voices are heard at tables, that they are making sure that they are standing up for what’s right when someone is profiled…I think it’s important to remember that that is part of eliminating racism, just as much as any legislation that can be passed or any systematic reform. Those actions, while they may seem small, are changing the system”.
At the beginning of July, the YWCA of Central Virginia, partnered with YWCA Richmond and YWCA South Hampton Roads, initiating the 21 Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge. Originally created at YWCA Cleveland, the free challenge essentially creates a space for individuals to engage and learn more about historic and current racial inequality occurring in the United States that were not necessarily taught in schools. Reynolds Marshall says “The 21 Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge is quite easy. Participants can sign up on www.ywcacva.org. Monday through Friday beginning in July, the Ys provide a curriculum for participants to move through at their own pace as they focus on the ever-growing diversified world landscape.
The United States has a long road ahead in terms of equity and inclusion, but organizations including the YWCA of Central Virginia and its counterparts are making that journey a bit smoother by strengthening communities through empowerment and educational opportunities. The allocation of resources and tools to uplift voices with the aim of structural change paves the way for the upcoming generation to continue the social movements of yesterday for a more forthcoming tomorrow.
Connect with YMCA of Central Virginia
ywcacva.org
Tags: Equality, Race
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